Daily Archives: August 3, 2020

2020-08-03: News Headlines

Ramzy Baroud (2020-08-03). Human Rights Defenders: Palestinian Eyewitness Testimony of the Execution of Abdul Fattah al-Sharif by Israeli Soldier, Elor Azaria. counterpunch.org As illegal Jewish settlers increase their attacks on Palestinian civilians in the occupied city of Al Khalil (Hebron), the people of the Palestinian city continue to mount a campaign of popular resistance. One of the channels of resistance is Human Rights Defenders, "a grass-roots, non-partisan Palestinian organization, working to support nonviolent popular resistance through popular

WSWS (2020-08-03). Vote for SEP candidates in the Sri Lankan national elections! Fight for a workers' and peasants' government and socialist internationalism! wsws.org The SEP is the only party in the elections advancing an international socialist program to fight the crisis created by COVID-19, defend democratic rights and oppose imperialist war.

WSWS (2020-08-03). Hong Kong delays legislative elections amid crackdown on democratic rights. wsws.org Beijing is driven above all by fears that renewed protests in Hong Kong could spread to the mainland.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-03). 'Exodus' to participate at Intl. Human Rights FilmFest. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 03 (MNA) — Bahman Kiarostami's documentary 'Exodus' will be screened at the fourth edition of the Taiwan International Human Rights Film Festival in September 2020.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-03). Oil industry activities on track despite sanctions: Zanganeh. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 03 (MNA) — Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh says Iran's oil industry activities have been going on strongly in the past two years since the US pulled out of the nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions.

Mehr News Agency (2020-08-03). 'US unilateral anti-Iranian sanctions unfair'. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 03 (MNA) — Naming the unilateral US sanctions against Iran 'unfair', the Austrian Ambassador to Iran Stefan Schulz voiced readiness of 250 Austrian firms for establishing economic relations with Iran.

Joseph Thomas (2020-08-02). UK's Stunning Hypocrisy over Hong Kong. globalresearch.ca Further evidence the UK hides behind "human rights" rather than stands for them was demonstrated when London laced sanctions on Hong Kong after the passing of a security law aimed at combating overt foreign interference in the special administrative region …

IMEMC News (2020-08-02). Army Abducts A Mother, Her Son And Daughter, In Hebron, After Colonists Attempted to Kidnap A Child. imemc.org Israeli soldiers abducted, on Saturday evening, a Palestinian mother along with her son and daughter after they helped free a child after she was assaulted by illegal colonialist settlers who tried to kidnap her. According to human rights activist and a volunteer with the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights …

Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, Rev Dr Liz Theoharis (2020-08-02). Woe to You Who Legislate Evil and Rob the Poor of Their Rights. commondreams.org A recipient carries a box of food as others wait in line at a Food Bank distribution for those in need as the coronavirus pandemic continues on April 9, 2020 in Van Nuys, California. (Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…

sputniknews (2020-08-02). Iran Imposes Sanctions Against Former Aid to John Bolton for 'Economic Terrorism'. sputniknews.com Relations between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran have become increasingly strained in recent years, following the 2018 withdrawal by the Trump administration from the 2015 joint agreement pledging a peaceful development of nuclear power.

Eoin Higgins, staff writer (2020-08-02). 'This Is Terrorism': With No Face Masks and No Warrant, Border Patrol Agents Raid Humanitarian Aid Station in Arizona and Detain 30 Migrants. commondreams.org "As always when humanitarian aid in the borderlands is targeted, those who seek care are the ones that face the brunt of these violent escalations." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…

Prof Michel Chossudovsky (2020-08-01). 2009 H1N1 Vaccine Caused Brain Damage in Children. Dr. Anthony Fauci on "Vaccine Safety" Issues. globalresearch.ca A lawsuit against the Trudeau Government for its handling of the COVID-19 Crisis has been launched. What is at stake is the violation of fundamental rights of Canadians. | "The mass and indiscriminate containment of citizens, the restriction of access to …

RT (2020-08-01). Wife arrested on suspicion of murder after Ukrainian rapper Cartwright's corpse found chopped into pieces in fridge. rt.com The wife of Ukrainian rapper Andy Cartwright, who dismembered her deceased husband and placed his body parts in their apartment fridge, has been detained on suspicion of murder. | She had Russia's Investigative Committee charged Marina Kokhal with murder and believes she killed her husband during a quarrel, although how is unknown. She then cut up the body "in order to hide the traces of the crime," investigators said. Kokhal maintains that she did not kill the artist, whose…

WSWS (2020-08-01). Lawsuit exposes massive COVID-19 outbreak at privately-run immigrant detention center in Virginia. wsws.org The Farmville Detention Center has the largest COVID-19 outbreak of all immigrant detainment facilities in the United States.

yenisafak (2020-08-01). 'India's actions in Kashmir, part of majoritarian agenda'. yenisafak.com The annexation of the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir on Aug. 5 last year has evoked international anguish against India, said Pakistan's former top diplomat.In an interview with Anadolu Agency on the eve of the first anniversary of India's revoking the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, former Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said this controversial move has violated international law embodied in the UN Security Council resolutions."There is a growing international reaction to Indian atrocities in the occupied Kashmir. The UN Human Rights Commissioner has published reports documenting the violat…

yenisafak (2020-08-01). Thousands march in Berlin to protest coronavirus curbs. yenisafak.com Thousands of demonstrators rallied in Berlin on Saturday to protest against measures imposed in Germany to stem the coronavirus pandemic, saying they violated people's rights and freedoms.The loose gathering, estimated by police at 15,000, included libertarians, constitutional loyalists and sceptics of the science behind policies to fight the pandemic. There was also a small far-right presence with some marchers carrying Germany's imperial flag.Protesters danced and sang 'We are free people!' to the tune of rock band Queen's 'We Will Rock You'. Others marched with placards saying 'We are making a noise because yo…

sputniknews (2020-08-01). Russian Foreign Intelligence Chief Hopes Incident in Belarus Resolved for Friendly Ties. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russia's Foreign Intelligence Chief Sergey Naryshkin said on Saturday he hoped the incident of Minsk's detention of 33 Russian nationals will be resolved in the interest of fraternal relations between the two countries.

sputniknews (2020-08-01). EU's Cybersanctions Against Russian Citizens Politically Motivated, Foreign Ministry Says. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The political connotations of the European Union's decision to impose sanctions against Russian, Chinese, and North Korean citizens and entities for alleged cyberattacks are obvious, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.

Staff (2020-08-01). Black Teen Jailed for Not Doing Her Online Schoolwork Is Released. truthout.org A Michigan teenager who has been detained since mid-May after not doing her online schoolwork was set free on Friday, after the Michigan Court of Appeals ordered her immediate release from a juvenile facility in suburban Detroit. | Grace, a high school sophomore, spent 78 days at the Children's Village after an Oakland County family court judge found she had violated her probation on earlier charges of assault and theft. Friday's decision comes a week after that judge denied her lawyer's request to set…

Staff (2020-07-31). Barack Obama: Honor John Lewis by Renewing Voting Rights Act & Ballot Access in the U.S. democracynow.org In his stirring eulogy at the funeral service for Congressmember John Lewis, President Barack Obama said expanded voting rights would be the greatest way to honor the civil rights icon's legacy. In a speech that condemned the status of American democracy without ever naming the sitting president, Obama called for election day to be declared a national holiday, full Congressional representation for Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, and the end of the filibuster, which he called a "Jim Crow relic." "You want to honor John? Let's honor him by revitalizing the law he was willing to die for," Obama said in reference…

Staff (2020-07-31). Civil Rights Hero John Lewis Remembered at Funeral as "Patriot Who Risked His Life" for Democracy. democracynow.org As family, friends and dignitaries paid their final respects at the Atlanta funeral of John Lewis, the civil rights leader and 17-term Georgia Congressmember was remembered as a singular force for equality and justice. The funeral took place at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, once led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., where senior pastor Rev. Raphael Warnock contrasted Lewis' legacy with "some in high office who are much better at division than vision," and described the late politician as "a true American patriot who risked his life and bled for the hope and promise of democracy."

Staff (2020-07-31). Headlines for July 31, 2020. democracynow.org U.S. Coronavirus Deaths Top 1,000 for Fourth Consecutive Day, U.S. Economy Recorded Worst Quarterly Drop on Record as Coronavirus Spread, New Orleans Protesters Block Eviction Court Proceedings as Rent Comes Due, Brazil's First Lady Tests Positive for COVID-19 as Deaths Top 91,000, Coronavirus Cases Spike in European Countries that Lifted Lockdowns, Donald Trump Suggests Election Delay, Sparking Bipartisan Outrage, U.S. Postal Delays Spark Fears Over Mail-In Ballots in November Election, Civil Rights Icon and Georgia Congressmember John Lewis Laid to Rest, Herman Cain, Co-Chair of Black Voices for Trump, Dies of…

Staff (2020-07-31). Rev. James Lawson: John Lewis's Life Is Call to Action Against U.S. Violence & Plantation Capitalism. democracynow.org As mourners gathered at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta to honor the life of Georgia Congressmember John Lewis, among those who spoke was civil rights icon Rev. James Lawson, who helped to train John Lewis in nonviolence when Lewis was a student in Nashville. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once described Rev. Lawson as "the leading theorist and strategist of nonviolence in the world." Lawson invoked John Lewis's life as a call to action. "We will not be quiet as long as our nation continues to be the most violent culture in the history of humankind," Lawson said. We feature his extended remarks.

RT (2020-07-31). 'Kids should not play adult games': Khabarovsk Children's rights commissioner asks Russians not to bring youngsters to protests. rt.com The children's rights commissioner in Russia's far eastern Khabarovsk Region has called on parents not to take their children to political rallies. She believes the marches pose "psychological danger" to kids. | As the city Victoria Tregubenko explained that taking a child to an unauthorized march could be interpreted by law as "improper performance of parental duties," as exposing children to "protest moods" may have negative consequences for a "child's psyche." | "Such consequences can manifest themselves years later. At the very least, the child's perception of life may be distorted. Children should not pla…

news.un (2020-07-31). Keep Turkey's Hagia Sophia 'a space for meeting of cultures', UN rights experts urge. news.un.org The historic Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, designated a mosque once again earlier this month by the Turkish Government, should be maintained as an inter-cultural space "reflecting the diversity and complexity of Turkey and its history", said two independent human rights experts on Friday.

PCHR (2020-07-31). PCHR: Weekly Report on Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (23— 28 July 2020). imemc.org Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) Summary Israeli forces continued to commit crimes and multi-faceted violations against Palestinian civilians and their properties, including raids into Palestinian cities that are characterized by the excessive use of force, assault, abuse and attacks on civilians. This week, the Israeli's excessive use of force …

James Zogby (2020-07-31). Why Is the Democratic Party So Timid on Palestinian Rights? commondreams.org President Donald Trump, right, looks over to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, during an event in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 28. (Photo: Susan Walsh/AP) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…

Jack Delaney (2020-07-31). "Operation Gideon": The Amphibious Assault against Venezuela. globalresearch.ca On May, 3, U.S. mercenaries and the

Steven Sahiounie (2020-07-31). Syrian Christians in Aleppo, Victims of US-EU Sanctions. globalresearch.ca St. Elijah Maronite Cathedral in Aleppo re-opened after years of disuse due to the severe destruction the 18th century cathedral endured during battles in the period of Aleppo had been Syria's largest city and its …

teleSUR (2020-07-31). Belgians Supports Cuba Against the Blockade, Activist Says. telesurenglish.net Belgian Committee against the Blockade to Cuba's coordinator Wim Leysens | said Friday that the 'Oxygen for Cuba' Campaign approaches Belgium's people to Cuba's experiences due to U.S. sanctions. | RELATED: | The 'Oxygen for Cuba' campaign motivates Belgian citizens to repudiate the U.S. blockade against the island after testimonies from victims of that policy are heard," Leysens said | The Belgian Committee agai…

teleSUR (2020-07-31). US Slams Cuba's Economy By Penalizing Banking Entities. telesurenglish.net The U.S. Department of Treasury Thursday announced sanctions against London-based Cuban-owned Havin Bank LTD, in an attempt to damage the island's economy. | RELATED: | The entity, also known as Havana International Bank, was blacklisted by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control. | Havin Bank has been operating since August 1973 and its main shareholder is the Banco Central de Cuba. | As of today, it is the only ba…

Pablo Jofre Leal (2020-07-31). TO PUBLISH TOMORROW The US Sanctions Against Iran Worry the International Community. telesurenglish.net Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the unilateral policy of maximum pressure that the United States exerts against Iran causes health and economic difficulties which affect the Persian nation and which could also negatively affect the region, forcing Iranian authorities to take greater action to fight this disease. | RELATED: | Support and assistance to Iran is a global challenge, a situation that involves the U.S. all by…

_____ (2020-07-31). Korean Americans For Black Lives. popularresistance.org Liberty Park is one of the very few public green spaces left in Koreatown; the choice for 'Ktown for Black Lives' to meet here is intentional. | Organized by the neighborhood's activists and community members, the monthly gathering aims to mobilize residents against state-sanctioned violence that regularly takes the lives of Black and Brown people. Since its start in June, hundreds of 'Ktown for Black Lives' attendees have assembled on the 2.5 acres of land to participate in political education and mutual aid efforts such as the redistribution of meals and sanitary supplies. | 'Ktown for Black Lives' points to th…

Staff (2020-07-31). Barack Obama: End the Filibuster to Restore Voting Rights Act. truthout.org In his stirring eulogy at the funeral service for Congressmember John Lewis, President Barack Obama said expanded voting rights would be the greatest way to honor the civil rights icon's legacy. In a speech that condemned the status of American democracy without ever naming the sitting president, Obama called for election day to be declared a national holiday, full Congressional representation for Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, and the end of the filibuster, which he called a "Jim Crow relic." "You want to…

Staff (2020-07-31). Bill Clinton Used John Lewis's Funeral to Disparage the Black Freedom Struggle. truthout.org Bill Clinton has a penchant for overstepping, for going too far and for being too cocky, especially when it comes to Black people. He assumes a kind of insider posture that is, quite frankly, offensive. | This posture was on full display yesterday when, while eulogizing the late civil rights leader and Congressman John Lewis, Clinton took the liberty to render his opinion about who was a good Black leader vs. who was a not-so-good Black leader. In referring to the political differences betwe…

Eoin Higgins, staff writer (2020-07-31). Exclusive: 25 Civil Rights Groups Condemn Trump Over Election Delay Threat, Demand Congress Fund Voting Protections. commondreams.org www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…

W. T. Whitney Jr. (2020-07-30). "We Charge Genocide"—Forerunner at UN of Black Lives Matter. peoplesworld.org The police killing of George Floyd on May 25 provoked demonstrations worldwide. The United Nations Human Rights Council on June 17 debated a draft resolution introduced by the "African Group" of nations that condemned "structural racism endemic to the criminal justice system in the United States." The African nations were responding to a letter from …

Jill Richardson (2020-07-30). 30 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act—moving beyond accommodation. peoplesworld.org The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) celebrates its 30th birthday this month. Three decades ago, the ADA represented a huge step forward for the rights of people with disabilities. In 2020, it's time to advance even further. The ADA offers people with disabilities the right to "reasonable accommodation" so long as it does not pose …

RT (2020-07-30). Russian serviceman working in Crimea arrested for HIGH TREASON, accused of spying for Ukraine. rt.com A serviceman from Russia's Black Sea Fleet has been arrested by the country's Federal Security Service (FSB) on suspicion of working for Ukrainian military intelligence. | If found guilty of high treason, the detained soldier could In a statement

RT (2020-07-30). Obama turns John Lewis funeral into DNC event, wants automatic voter registration, end to 'Jim Crow relic' filibuster. rt.com It did not take long for the funeral of John Lewis to turn political as former President Barack Obama's eulogy evolved into a campaign speech, where he recommended ending the Senate filibuster and blasted voter ID laws. | Watching Obama speak at Thursday's funeral, it would be easy to think you were watching a campaign speech as opposed to a eulogy. | He urged the Senate and Congress to pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act, legislation that would make it harder for states to enact things like voter ID laws, which Democrats have long called restrictive and racially motivated. It would give the federal gover…

RT (2020-07-30). EU targets Russian intelligence, Chinese, North Korean companies in first ever cybercrime-related sanctions batch. rt.com The European Union has imposed sanctions on six people and three entities, including a Russian military intelligence unit over their alleged involvement in various hacking activities, in the first ever such move from Brussels. | EU officials slapped the "Special Technologies" unit (GTsST) of the Russian military intelligence (also known as GRU) with sanctions, accusing it of being behind several high-profile cyber-attacks — including the infamous NotPetya virus that inflicted $10 billion worth of damage to the world economy in 2017. | The origins of that virus are still unclear. Yet, what is known for ce…

RT (2020-07-30). EU targets Russian intelligence, Chinese, North Korean companies in first ever cybercrime-related round of sanctions. rt.com The European Union has imposed sanctions on six people and three entities, including a Russian military intelligence unit, over their alleged involvement in various hacking activities, in the first ever such move from Brussels. | EU officials slapped the "Special Technologies" unit (GTsST) of the Russian military intelligence agency (also known as GRU) with sanctions, accusing it of being behind several high-profile cyber-attacks — including the infamous NotPetya virus that inflicted $10 billion-worth of damage to the world economy in 2017. | The origins of that virus are still unclear. What is known for…

Staff (2020-07-30). Opinion: Abdul Fattah Al-Sharif's Execution by an Israeli Soldier. imemc.org ÔøºBy Ramzy Baroud for Palestine Chronicle: As illegal settlers increase their attacks on Palestinian civilians in the occupied city of Al-Khalil (Hebron), the people of the Palestinian city continue to mount a campaign of popular resistance. One of the channels of resistance is Human Rights Defenders (HRD), "a grassroots, non-partisan Palestinian …

IMEMC News (2020-07-30). On Eve Of Al-Adha, 4500 Palestinians, Including 39 Women And 160 Children, Imprisoned By Israel" imemc.org On the eve of al-Adha Muslim feast, Palestinian researcher specialized in detainee's affairs, former political prisoner, Abdul-Nasser Ferwana, has reported that Israel is holding captive around 4500 Palestinians, including 39 women, 160 children, 6 legislators and 360 who are held under the arbitrary Administrative Detention orders without charges or trial. …

Ali Salam (2020-07-30). 25 Palestinians Detained Across West Bank. imemc.org Israeli forces detained 25 Palestinian civilians overnight Tuesday, into early Wednesday, from various towns in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Prisoners' Society (PPS) confirmed. In the northern West Bank district of Nablus, Israeli soldiers took 12 Palestinian civilians into custody, from several areas, including former prisoners; 1. Khaled Abu …

news.un (2020-07-30). COVID-19: UN chief outlines path to sustainable, inclusive recovery in Southeast Asia. news.un.org Tackling inequality, bridging the digital divide, greening the economy, and upholding human rights and good governance will be critical for Southeast Asia to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the UN Secretary-General said on Thursday.

Andrew Emett (2020-07-30). 4 corrections officers charged with beating inmate and cover-up. nationofchange.org If convicted, Finch, Thomas, and Blaylock face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for the civil rights charges.

Ed Rampell (2020-07-30). The ACLU's Fight for Constitutional Rights. progressive.org New documentary gets up close and personal with the group's courtroom gladiators.

Peoples Dispatch (2020-07-30). Rights groups demand release of activist Mohammad Amin in Pakistan. peoplesdispatch.org The 26-year-old activist was forcibly picked up from his residence in Karachi on July 14 and remains missing. Rights groups have blamed security forces for harassing his family and demanded his immediate release…

IMEMC News (2020-07-30). PPS: "Israeli Soldiers Abduct Seventeen Palestinians In West Bank" imemc.org The Palestinian Prisoners' Society (PPS) has reported that Israeli soldiers abducted, overnight until morning hours Thursday, seventeen Palestinians, including former political prisoners and the coordinator of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement. The PPS said the soldiers abducted six Palestinians from the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, in the occupied …